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Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Human antibiotic use polluting rivers, fuelling drug resistance: Study
Millions of kilometers of rivers around the world are carrying antibiotic pollution at levels high enough to promote drug resistance and harm aquatic life, a new study warns. The study estimated the scale of global river contamination from human antibiotics use. Researchers calculated that about 8,500 tons of antibiotics -- nearly one-third of what people consume annually -- end up in river systems around the world each year even after in many cases passing through wastewater systems. Published in PNAS Nexus, the study is the first to estimate the scale of global river contamination from human antibiotics use. "While the amounts of residues from individual antibiotics translate into only very small concentrations in most rivers, which makes them very difficult to detect, the chronic and cumulative environmental exposure to these substances can still pose a risk to human health and aquatic ecosystems," said Heloisa Ehalt Macedo, a post-doctoral fellow in geography at McGill and lead author of the study. The research team used a global model validated by field data from nearly 900 river locations. They found that amoxicillin, the world's most-used antibiotic, is the most likely to be present at risky levels, especially in Southeast Asia, where rising use and limited wastewater treatment amplify the problem. "This study is not intended to warn about the use of antibiotics -- we need antibiotics for global health treatments -- but our results indicate that there may be unintended effects on aquatic environments and antibiotic resistance, which calls for mitigation and management strategies to avoid or reduce their implications," said Bernhard Lehner, a professor in global hydrology in McGill's Department of Geography and co-author of the study. The findings are especially notable because the study did not consider antibiotics from livestock or pharmaceutical factories, both of which are major contributors to environmental contamination. "Our results show that antibiotic pollution in rivers arising from human consumption alone is a critical issue, which would likely be exacerbated by veterinarian or industry sources of related compounds" said Jim Nicell, an environmental engineering professor at McGill and co-author of the study. "Monitoring programs to detect antibiotic or other chemical contamination of waterways are therefore needed, especially in areas that our model predicts to be at risk," he added.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UGA professors research accuracy of heat monitoring smartphone application
A key component of heat safety in an effort to avoid heat illnesses involves monitoring environmental conditions through heat stress. A recently published study out of the University of Georgia identified a smartphone application designed to monitor heat-related risks through direct on-site measurements. 'A lot of my work and the people I work with, we interact a lot with people in athletic training and other settings where they have to monitor conditions for safety,' said Andrew Grundstein, professor in the Department of Geography, at the University of Georgia. 'Athletic trainers are coming to us saying, 'There's this new app. How well does it work?' Grundstein added, 'We didn't know. There isn't a lot of information on the website that could tell us how accurate it was. So that's how we constructed our study, to at least have a comparison with the gold standard of taking measurements on site." The study, Evaluating Heat Risk: Comparing On-Site WBGT Measurements Versus Smartphone Application Estimates, highlighted that the key component of heat safety involves monitoring environmental conditions through heat stress indices like the wet bulb globe temperature and adjusting activity as conditions get progressively hotter. 'We got athletic trainers from 26 different schools in 11 states to collect data for two months,' said Grundstein. 'The data was collected during the hottest time of the year, August and September. That's important, because that's when a lot of fall sports began, especially football. Football players are really susceptible to heat. The information is used to guide safety decisions for players on the field. They also collected data with the app.' The study compared the phone application-derived Zelus wet bulb globe temperature estimates with on-site measurements from Kestrel 5400 devices and their impact on activity modification categorization. Traditionally, on-site wet bulb globe temperature measurement devices are used, according to the study. But phone applications offering wet bulb globe temperature estimates have emerged as a potential alternative. However, there is little information on how closely phone application-derived wet bulb globe temperature matches on-site measurements to guide decision-making. 'So we had a data set of their observations collected on site, right over grass, artificial turf or other surfaces,' said Grundstein. 'Using that data, we were able to analyze how the application did compared to the on site data. We used that information to write our paper.' Grundstein added, 'If you look across the U.S., heat is the leading weather killer. It kills more people than tornadoes, hurricanes and floods, which I think surprises a lot of people. Athletes are really susceptible to heat. It's one of the top three leading causes of sudden death in sports. It can also lead to all sorts of heat-related problems, short of dying.' More than 700 people die from extreme heat every year in the United States, according to experts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Aside from athletes older adults, young children, and people with chronic medical conditions are at high risk for heat-related illness and death. 'Heat causes a lot of serious problems in athletes, the general population and in our working population,' he said. 'One of the best ways to protect people is to collect information on how hot it is outside and adjust what people are doing. So if it's really hot, you might want to give them more rest breaks, shorten the practice or make the practice less intense.' 'We know that when you put safety measures in place it substantially reduces the number of people that have heat-related problems,' said Grundstein. 'There's all sorts of new technology that's coming out to collect health data, to monitor weather conditions and so forth. I think people just want to know how well these tools work. This particular product we assessed and people want to know does this work well. That's what led to our study. What we found was that the app tended to underestimate the heat stress.' This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Partners. Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@ or on X: @EricaVanBuren32. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: UGA study looks at environment monitoring smartphone application
Business Mayor
10-05-2025
- Health
- Business Mayor
Antibiotics from human use are contaminating rivers worldwide, study shows
Millions of kilometres of rivers around the world are carrying antibiotic pollution at levels high enough to promote drug resistance and harm aquatic life, a McGill University-led study warns. Published in PNAS Nexus , the study is the first to estimate the scale of global river contamination from human antibiotics use. Researchers calculated that about 8,500 tonnes of antibiotics — nearly one-third of what people consume annually — end up in river systems around the world each year even after in many cases passing through wastewater systems. 'While the amounts of residues from individual antibiotics translate into only very small concentrations in most rivers, which makes them very difficult to detect, the chronic and cumulative environmental exposure to these substances can still pose a risk to human health and aquatic ecosystems,' said Heloisa Ehalt Macedo, a postdoctoral fellow in geography at McGill and lead author of the study. The research team used a global model validated by field data from nearly 900 river locations. They found that amoxicillin, the world's most-used antibiotic, is the most likely to be present at risky levels, especially in Southeast Asia, where rising use and limited wastewater treatment amplify the problem. 'This study is not intended to warn about the use of antibiotics — we need antibiotics for global health treatments — but our results indicate that there may be unintended effects on aquatic environments and antibiotic resistance, which calls for mitigation and management strategies to avoid or reduce their implications,' said Bernhard Lehner, a professor in global hydrology in McGill's Department of Geography and co-author of the study. The findings are especially notable because the study did not consider antibiotics from livestock or pharmaceutical factories, both of which are major contributors to environmental contamination. 'Our results show that antibiotic pollution in rivers arising from human consumption alone is a critical issue, which would likely be exacerbated by veterinarian or industry sources of related compounds' said Jim Nicell, an environmental engineering professor at McGill and co-author of the study. 'Monitoring programs to detect antibiotic or other chemical contamination of waterways are therefore needed, especially in areas that our model predicts to be at risk.'
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
The case for super cool materials to make Indian cities cope with the new climate normal of urban heat
Ansar Khan is an urban climatologist and an Assistant Professor at the Department of Geography at Lalbaba College, Calcutta University. He has several peer-reviewed publications in various academic journals. LESS ... MORE Cities worldwide are experiencing a shift in their urban climate, with extreme heat becoming a defining challenge due to rapid urbanization and climate change. Indian cities, in particular, are facing unprecedented temperature surges, escalating public health crises, economic pressures, and infrastructure failures. Scientists warn that without urgent deployment of advanced heat mitigation strategies, urban centres will become increasingly unlivable, with dire consequences for human health, energy systems, and economic stability. Rising urban temperatures have already led to record-breaking heat waves, with severe health impacts. Hospitals are reporting a surge in cases of heat exhaustion, dehydration, cardiovascular distress, and respiratory complications, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and outdoor workers. Studies show that prolonged exposure to extreme heat heightens the risk of heat stroke, kidney failure, and mental health disorders, while also exacerbating chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. The urban heat island effect further intensifies the crisis by trapping heat, keeping night-time temperatures dangerously high, and reducing the body's ability to recover from prolonged exposure. Beyond health concerns, extreme heat is placing immense pressure on energy infrastructure, with electricity demand for cooling skyrocketing. In cities like Kolkata, air conditioning use has surged by 40% during peak summer months, leading to frequent power failures. Many low-income households, unable to afford cooling solutions, remain at heightened risk of heat-induced illnesses and fatalities. Businesses, too, are suffering from increased cooling costs, reduced productivity, and economic losses as outdoor labourers face declining work hours due to unsafe working conditions. While conventional cooling solutions such as tree plantations and green roofs are often considered, they face limitations in dense urban environments due to space constraints. Additionally, increased vegetation can sometimes raise humidity levels, promote volatile organic compound emissions, and contribute to ozone formation, worsening air quality. Recognizing these challenges, scientists are advocating for large-scale deployment of advanced heat mitigation technologies, particularly super cool materials, which have shown remarkable potential in reducing urban heat at scale. Our research have demonstrated the effectiveness of these solutions in large-scale studies. The study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, assessed the impact of radiative coolers, reflective coatings, and hybrid green infrastructure across 3,323 urban buildings. The results were striking, with a peak temperature reduction of 4.5°C, a 26% decrease in annual cooling degree hours, and a 16% reduction in cooling energy consumption. When combined with energy-efficient adaptations, the total cooling demand fell by 35%, highlighting the potential of these technologies in mitigating urban overheating. In Kolkata, where summer temperatures frequently exceed 40°C, super cool materials applied to roofs, walls, and pavements have been found to reduce peak air temperatures by 5.3°C, with sub-ambient cooling of up to 8.2°C during the hottest hours of the day. These materials utilize advanced radiative cooling and high-reflectivity coatings to dissipate heat into the atmosphere passively, significantly lowering temperatures without additional energy consumption. Unlike traditional cooling methods, super cool materials require minimal maintenance and can be scaled across dense urban landscapes, making them a viable solution for heat-prone cities. Despite the severity of the crisis, public awareness remains low, and policymakers have yet to implement effective urban heat warning systems to protect vulnerable communities. Scientists emphasize that immediate government intervention is essential, with mandatory heat action plans, early warning alerts, and financial support for heat-resilient infrastructure. Extreme urban heat is not a distant threat but a present emergency. Indian cities must act now to deploy large-scale cooling technologies and establish robust heat warning systems. Delaying action will lead to irreversible damage with severe consequences for human lives, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. With climate change amplifying the urban heat island effect, the cost of inaction is rising rapidly. Scientists, urban planners, and health experts urge city authorities to prioritize climate-resilient urban design, energy-efficient cooling systems, and public education to protect millions from the growing dangers of extreme heat. Without immediate intervention, Indian cities, alongside other heat-prone regions worldwide, face the risk of becoming uninhabitable, threatening public health, economic viability, and overall quality of life. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Leaders
19-04-2025
- Science
- Leaders
Abeer Bint Shrgi Al-Anazi: Trailblazer for Saudi Women in Clean Energy, Academic Excellence
Interviewed by: Fatima Suleiman Abeer Bint Shrgi Al-Anazi, the first Saudi woman to obtain her PhD from the United States of America in the Department of Geography at King Saud University to make significant strides in clean energy research (from King Saud University, Riyadh), has shattered barriers in both academia and the professional world. From balancing motherhood with education to pursuing a pioneering PhD in clean energy in the U.S., Abeer's story is one of resilience, determination, and hope. In an exclusive interview, she opens up about the challenges she faced, her triumphs, and how her work aligns with Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030. Q: Abeer, tell us about your educational journey. How did it all begin? A: My journey began at a very young age, shaped by my responsibilities as the eldest daughter in a big family. I guess I became more responsible at an early age from helping my mother with my younger siblings, and this experience taught me the importance of patience, resilience, and responsibility. However, my educational path paused due to family circumstances. After a few years, with the unwavering support of my mother and father, I returned to education, especially to look after my children as a single mom. It was a decision that defined the rest of my life. Q: How did your ambitions evolve during those early years? A: Even as a child, I was always eager to learn. But it was during high school when I realized that I had a profound interest in geography. One of my teachers, Mrs. Salwa Al-Sarhan, recognized my potential and encouraged me to pursue cartography. She saw something in me that I hadn't fully realized, and her words pushed me to not only excel in my studies but also to pursue a future in this field. Q: Balancing motherhood and education must have been challenging. How did you manage? A: It certainly wasn't easy. Raising children and managing a household while trying to pursue an education required tremendous support, especially from my mother, who stepped in to care for my children. Being a part-time student while juggling the responsibilities of being a mother was difficult, but my dream of earning my diploma kept me motivated. Despite the odds, I graduated with excellent marks, proving to myself that with enough determination, I could achieve my goals. Q: What role did higher education play in your success? A: Higher education was a critical turning point for me. After completing my high school diploma, I graduated from Princess Nourah University with high honors. Right after, I enrolled at King Saud University to pursue a master's degree in geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It wasn't straightforward to gain acceptance into the competitive program, but I did, and I graduated with honors and was honored by Princess Latifah Bint Abdulaziz Al Saud. My thesis focused on cartographic communication, geographic information systems, and mapping, which was the foundation for my future academic work. This experience solidified my belief that hard work and persistence could lead to opportunities. Q: After your studies, how did you transition into the communications field? A: After completing my master's degree, I began working with Saudi Telecom Company (STC). I was the only executive employee there with a master's degree, but my sincerity and dedication to work led me to get promotions within two years. I served as a trainer for several departments, and I ended up working as a high-value customer supervisor before going to academia. The experience was both challenging and rewarding. Working at STC allowed me to expand my professional skills, especially my marketing skills; manage teams; motivate them to achieve sales and maintain customers in the easiest way; meanwhile, keep the work environment good and healthy for the employees; and set the stage for my future academic and career pursuits. Q: You later had the chance to study abroad in the U.S. What was that experience like? A: Studying abroad in the U.S. is an incredible experience. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience! I was awarded a scholarship to pursue a PhD in geography at the University of Michigan. This opportunity, which came through King Saud University, changed my life. The transition was challenging, especially during the global pandemic, which led me to return to Saudi Arabia. However, I applied to multiple prestigious U.S. institutions and eventually earned admission to the University of Michigan, where I continue my research today. Studying abroad is a life-changer—a chance to shape your life, personality, experiences, skills, mentality, and how to deal with various people and cultures. Accept the changes and learn how to deal with challenges. Q: What challenges did you encounter while studying abroad, and how did you overcome them? A: The pandemic posed the greatest challenge, as it disrupted my plans and forced me to leave the U.S. earlier than expected. But rather than giving up, I applied to universities like the University of Florida, Texas Tech University, and the University of Michigan, and I succeeded in passing all required exams. These setbacks taught me the power of resilience and adaptability, and I kept pushing forward to finish what I had started. Believe in God and yourself, practice patience and continuous work, learn and ask, and remember that nothing stays the same—these are the secrets. Q: How has the empowerment of Saudi women influenced your journey? A: The empowerment of women in Saudi Arabia has significantly changed the landscape. Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has made remarkable strides in supporting women's education and professional development, among all other aspects. As a Saudi-empowered woman, the reframing of women and children's laws and initiatives like scholarships, mentorship programs, and leadership opportunities have been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals. I wouldn't have reached where I am today without the support of these efforts. We are glad that we are Saudi, supported greatly by our government, and prepared to get the chance when it comes to us. Q: What does 'empowerment' mean to you personally? A: For me, empowerment is about enabling women to pursue their dreams without barriers. Empowering women to transform their lives in a healthy environment, such as providing economic self-sufficiency, life skills, personal development, and leadership, thus supporting their families and communities. In Saudi Arabia, women now have the freedom to chase careers, engage in entrepreneurship, and contribute meaningfully to the economy. We have a growing presence in every sector, from engineering and technology to business and education. Empowerment is about providing the tools and the opportunities for women to succeed, and it's a movement that I'm proud to be a part of. Q: Can you tell us more about your PhD research in clean energy and its significance for Saudi Arabia? A: I aim to work to contribute to a better world. My research focuses on clean energy technologies, which align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals to reduce the country's dependency on oil and increase renewable energy usage. I'm researching sustainable energy solutions that will support the kingdom's long-term objectives for a greener, more sustainable future. I am committed to discovering inventive solutions that will benefit Saudi Arabia and make a significant contribution to global sustainability initiatives. My country is investing in us, in human capital, and I am determined to seize the opportunity to give back by contributing and dedicating my life to it. Q: What advice would you give to young Saudi women who want to follow in your footsteps? A: My advice is simple: believe in yourself and never let anyone tell you that your dreams are unattainable. There is no limit to what you can achieve. Take advantage of the opportunities available to you, whether they are educational, professional, or personal— you can manage them! Moreover, Saudi women are paving the way for future generations, and I believe that we will continue to break barriers and accomplish wonderful things. Q: Looking ahead, how do you see the future of Saudi women? A: The future for Saudi women is bright, especially with the initiatives being driven by Vision 2030. We are already seeing women excelling in various fields, and the opportunities will continue to expand. I'm confident that Saudi women will keep breaking new ground and achieving extraordinary success in the years to come. We are a force to be reckoned with, and the world will see more of what we can do. Be the change that you want! Abeer Bint Shrgi Al-Anzi Abeer Bint Shrgi Al-Anzi's journey from a young single mother to a groundbreaking clean energy researcher is an inspiring testament to her resilience and determination. She has broken barriers in her field and serves as a role model for Saudi women striving to make their mark in the world. With her focus on clean energy and sustainability, Abeer is helping to shape the future of Saudi Arabia and contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030. As Saudi women continue to rise, Abir's story is one of many that will inspire future generations to dream big and achieve even bigger. Related Topics : Energy Minister Highlights Saudi Leadership in Clean Energy during Brazil's G20 Meetings Blue Ammonia: Inside Saudi Arabia's Push Towards Clean Energy Transition Politico Highlights Saudi Arabia's Significant Strides in Clean Energy Saudi Arabia Inks Major Renewable Energy Deals with Central Asia States at COP29 Short link : Post Views: 161
